From now on, if anyone asks, I prefer professional bridesmaids.
In Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore (or the Witch’s Curse), the Bridesmaids Union long for and are at the ready for a wedding and I’m here for it. In Reddering, a small town of Cornwall in the 19th century, one is either married or getting married and bridesmaids are ready and waiting for any couples who find love. However, one long sought after woman who lives her life quite literally by the book of good breeding and etiquette cannot seem to find a man who can live up to her prim standards…except one.
In this crazy in love satirical opera, these professional bridesmaids create beautiful harmony and seem to be the most reasonable of all.
With book by W.S. Gilbert, music by Arthur Sullivan with lively music directed by Aldo Fabrizi, The Sudbury Savoyards kicked off its 64th season with Gilbert and Sullivan’s gothic romantic satirical opera Ruddigore at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury, Massachusetts live and in person through Saturday, March 1. The show was not limited to the stage, contained some mature humor and ran approximately two and half hours including one 15 minute intermission and presented in two acts. Click here for more information and for a closer look at their new season.
Featuring a triumphant and frenzied overture that has an occasional and passing resemblance to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera score, Ruddigore sets the stage with a seafaring village boasting a towering lighthouse, pastel colored houses adorned with a stained glass window and an offstage dock to welcome local travelers. Some clever staging uses the cast to assemble two makeshift ships during a lively number.
Ruddigore blends absurdity into the supernatural, ancestral legacy, and lighthearted romantic love triangles into commentary about marriage, commitment, and coming to terms with an entangling family legacy. Lindsey Buccella depicts prim, polite and particular Rose Maybud who does everything quite literally by the book of etiquette and looks coldly at her suitors except humble and handsome farmer Robin Oakapple, portrayed with comic complexity by David Smyth, but both are too shy to let each other know the other’s true feelings as exemplified through the cheeky number, I Know a Youth which seems the equivalent of “asking for a friend.” Their beautiful harmony captures this complicated number with equal amounts intensity and shyness.
When Ben Oehlkers as Robin’s confident and self assured foster brother and seafaring mariner Richard Dauntless pays a visit, it could threaten all Robin holds dear as Sir Despard and Richard later share a silly and conspiratorial number You Understand? I think I do.
Carolyn Schwartz depicts fiercely independent and unmarried maiden Dame Hannah with gumption who refuses to marry anyone but Lonnie Powell as Sir Roderick Murgatroyd if it were not for the Murgatroyd/Ruddigore family curse.
As a Baronet of Ruddigore, Jeremy White portrays trapped Sir Despard who must commit a crime a day or perish. In a sneaky yet comical moment, White confides that he knows how to bend the rules of the “crime” as demonstrated in Why am I Moody and Sad? In a knowing attempt to outsmart the system, Sir Despard will steal a child and then heroically return the child on the same day.
Ben Morse is also amusing as Old Adam Goodheart and deeming himself a villain confidential advisor. However, Morse’s physical humor and wild running are where he really shines.
In a shimmering lace gown, Elaine Crane is delightful as Mad Margaret with an equal talent for wild and comically restrained humor as she enthusiastically exemplifies in Cheerily Carols the Lark. She also delivers a remarkable self aware moment as she quips “Hush! They sing choruses in public!”
David Smyth delivers a bold and earnest solo number Away Remorse in which Robin vows to finally resolve his contraries and conflicts after habitually committing to neither. Smyth, White and Crane also join together in a moment of self realization for the swiftly moving number My Eyes are Fully Opened.
All these characters come together into a twisty and zany plot confined by a family curse and as a ghoulish green fire glow, the past and present meet for a wacky, but never too serious reckoning.
A triumphant event does occur for these bridesmaids who were out for the win in a variety of lacy, empire gowns and holding their multicolor bouquets as they join together with the talented Chorus for a lively rendition of Happily coupled are we. Blending gothic satire and romantic comedy, The Sudbury Savoyards delivers an enchanting tale of love against all odds.
The Sudbury Savoyards kicked off its 64th season with Gilbert and Sullivan’s satirical romantic comedy opera Ruddigore at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury, Massachusetts live and in person through Saturday, March 1. Click here for more information and for a closer look at their new season.